Scorpionfish
Scorpaena scrofa
Sighting evidence at Wreck of the Secchia, Ustica Island
Photo: luismartinezartola · CC BY-NC
Red scorpionfish occupy every surface of the Secchia's hull — bollards, railings, anchor chain links — blending with the encrusting growth so completely that discovering one requires methodical scanning. Their ambush hunting strategy is ideally suited to wreck environments, where prey fish move predictably through corridors and openings. The Secchia's depth (peak wreck body around 38 m) means water temperature remains cooler than the shallows, favouring larger-bodied specimens that grow slowly in the colder, deeper zone.
Evidence at this site
No confirmed records on file at this site
Scorpionfish is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.